2010 07-07 SB Channel

Overcast skies, a dead calm, glassy ocean, and Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus), Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), a Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus), some Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis), Risso's Dolphins (Grampus griseus) and a few California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus).

A friendly Risso's Dolphin swims by under the clear blue water.
Grampus griseus 2010 Channel 004
A Risso's Dolphin pokes its head up through the mirror glass surface.
Grampus griseus 2010 Channel 017
Side view of a Risso's Dolphin.
Grampus griseus 2010 Channel 018
A close look at a Risso's Dolphin.
Grampus griseus 2010 Channel 006
Three Risso's Dolphins on the surface, and a fourth one still glowing blue underwater.
Grampus griseus THREE 2010 Channel 026
Two Risso's Dolphins.
Grampus griseus TWO 2010 Channel 010
Four Risso's Dolphins on a very calm surface.
Grampus griseus FOUR 2010 Channel 024
Three Risso's Dolphins up, another still down.
Grampus griseus THREE 2010 Channel 025
California Sea Lions resting near a drifting kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) paddy. There is one male (upper right) and four females in this group.
Zalophus californianus females male Macrocystis 2010 Channel 007
California Sea Lion.
Zalophus californianus 2010 Channel 002
A crazy, leaping California Sea Lion.
Zalophus californianus leaping camera 2010 Channel 284
Two California Sea Lions resting near a piece of kelp (Cystoseira osmundacea).
Zalophus californianus rafting CLOSE glassy 2010 Channel 003
A Blue Whale sputs with Santa Rosa Island in back.
Balaenoptera musculus Sta Rosa 2010 Channel 023
Blue Whale - very straight, tall spout.
Balaenoptera musculus tall spout 2010 Channel 003
Blue Whale tail fluke...note the orange flesh wound on top.
Balaenoptera musculus tail fluke wound 2010 Channel 083
Balaenoptera musculus tail fluke & wound 2010 07-07 SB Channel - 003
Balaenoptera musculus tail fluke wound 2010 Channel 003
Long and lean...a giant Blue Whale.
Balaenoptera musculus 2010 Channel 004
A Blue Whale arches its back to make a deep dive...again, the wound on its back is visible.
Balaenoptera musculus wound 2010 Channel 080
Blue Whale tail flukes.
Balaenoptera musculus tail flukes 2010 Channel 021
Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) growing in the entrance to the Painted Cave on Santa Cruz Island.
Macrocystis pyrifera canopy 2010 Sta Cruz Island 002
Two spouting Humpback Whales.
Balaenoptera musculus TWO 2010 Channel 054
Three Humpback Whales in a row.
Megaptera novaeangliae THREE 2010 Channel 016
A mother and calf Blue Whale.
Balaenoptera musculus cow calf 2010 Channel 010
Head and blowholes of a Blue Whale.
Balaenoptera musculus 2010 Channel 091
A Humpback Whale in the foreground and a highly animated California Sea Lion in the back.
Megpatera novaeangliae Zalophus californianus 2010 Channel 038
Head and spout of a Humpback Whale.
Megpatera novaeangliae head 2010 Channel 036
Two Humpback Whales.
Megpatera novaeangliae TWO tail 2010 Channel 043
Humpback Whale tail flukes waterfall.
Megpatera novaeangliae tail flukes waterfall 2010 Channel 011
A Fin Whale with Santa Rosa Island in back.
Balaenoptera physalus FIN whale 2010 Channel 006
Fin Whale, left side and dorsal fin.
Balaenoptera physalus FIN whale 2010 Channel 068
The low profile head of a Fin Whale.
Balaenoptera physalus FIN whale head 2010 Channel 061
Another shot of the tall Fin Whale dorsal fin.
Balaenoptera physalus FIN whale 2010 Channel 029
Common Dolphins come by to visit the whalers on board the Condor Express.
Delphinus capensis passengera 2010 Channel 003
Surfing and bubbling - Common Dolphins.
Delphinus capensis 2010 Channel 002

© Robert Perry

Mr.Zalophus@gmail.com Please click on the image above to go to my MarineBioPhotography website.

2010 07-07 SB Channel